World class heart research

About us

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is one of the most respected heart research facilities in the world and is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease.

Renowned for the quality of its breakthroughs, the Victor Chang Institute uses innovative transplantation techniques, and conducts complex molecular and genetic analysis to make world class discoveries.

Founded in 1994, the Victor Chang Institute is the legacy of legendary heart transplant surgeon, Dr Victor Chang. Beginning with just two scientists, the Victor Chang Institute is now home to more than 250 researchers and staff.

Our mission

The relief of pain and suffering, and the promotion of wellbeing, through an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cardiovascular biology in health and disease.

Our aspirations

The Victor Chang Institute always strives to:

Conduct the highest quality research, with an emphasis on ‘molecules and mechanisms’.

Be a world-class research facility and one of the best independent medical research institutes in Australia that contributes in a major way to the health of all people, through research into cardiovascular diseases.

Advance knowledge and make fundamental discoveries in cardiovascular research that can be rapidly translated into improved diagnostics, preventions and treatments, provide advice on health and research policy at both the federal and state levels.

Be a leader in the adoption, application and integration of genomics, stem cell and regenerative medicine, as well as other cutting edge technologies and approaches. The Victor Chang Institute also aspires to be a leader in the training of clinicians in the interpretation of discoveries made using these technologies for improved patient management.

Be Australia’s leading institute for training in fundamental cardiovascular research and its application to clinical problem solving.

Impact of heart disease & stroke

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. It claims the life of 1 Australian every 12 minutes and can affect anyone irrespective of age or gender. Labelled Australia’s most expensive disease, it currently costs more than $7.6 billion in healthcare expenditure per year. On top of this, congenital heart disease is the most common form of birth defect in Australia, with one baby born every four hours with a heart problem.